25021 & 47141 arrive at Millerhill with a freight from the north on February 8th 1979.

The nineteen year career of D5171/25021 started out on the NER, spending fourteen years at a variety of Eastern Region depots before moving to the Scottish Region.

Allocations

The frames for D5171 were laid down during November 1961 at Darlington Works. D5171 was new to Thornaby (51L) on February 3rd 1962.Transfer dates and depots were:
December 1967 to Leeds Holbeck (55A)
January 1971 to Thornaby (51L)
March 1971 to Leeds Holbeck (55A)
October 1971 to Gateshead (52A)
August 1972 to Tinsley (41A, later TI)

The next four years were spent on allocation to two Scottish depots.

February 1976 to Eastfield
May 1978 to Haymarket

After two and a half years at Haymarket 25021 was withdrawn on September 3rd 1980, moved to Swindon Works on October 16th 1980 and was broken up by the middle of December 1980.

Works Visits

Works visits (records incomplete).

Noted Darlington Works January & February 1964.
Noted Doncaster Works August 1965.
Noted Derby September 1966.
Noted Derby November 1969.
Was probably due for a Works visit in early 1973, did it not get called to the Works?
Noted Glasgow March & April 1978, repainted - GW paint date 29.4.78.

Highlights

Renumbered February 1974.

On September 30th 1978 25021 assisted the LCGB Ayr & Galloway railtour in hauling the passenger train the short distance from Stranraer station to Harbour Junction to allow release of the two Class 40s, 40171 & 40191.

Although 25021 was not boiler equipped it was used by the Scottish Region on scheduled passenger working during the summer months. Perhaps one of its more interesting workings was on May 23rd 1980 when it came to the rescue of 20110 & 20119 working the 1N21 09.45 Edinburgh - Inverness at Aviemore. 20119 had earlier failed at Kingussie, 20110 soldiered on along to Aviemore where 25021 was added for the run to Inverness.

Noted on July 31st out of use at Haymarket with minor collision damage. Moved to Millerhill by September 2nd 1980.

25021 at Motherwell shed on October 29th 1977. Interestingly 25021 has ended up being fitted with the two rung bogie footsteps and the older style sandbox. This suggests that the bogies under 25021 maybe at one time have belonged to a Class 24. Photograph courtesy Tony Sayer

25021 at Millerhill on April 28th 1979. The locomotive has been through Glasgow Works since the view at Motherwell above. The number has been positioned on the bodyside and the blue star coupling codes are inboard of the lamp brackets 'Glasgow style'. Photograph courtesy A Forster

25021 pulls into Millerhill on at 6pm on the evening of July 2nd 1980 towing 08755. By the end of July 25021 will be out of service at Haymarket with collision damage to one side. Photograph courtesy A Forster

Its October 26th 1980 and the convoy of locomotives from Millerhill including 25021 has reached Swindon Works. This view reveals the damage to the side and cab that led to its premature withdrawal.